Prepper Protein: Supplement Your Pantry With the Essentials

ReadyNutrition Guys and Gals, you already know what a PT (physical training) nut I am, and how I’m in a long-term “love affair” with my weights. I follow a simple rule that is all-encompassing for my existence: if you’re not in good shape, you better get in good shape; if you are in good shape, you better stay that way. That mentioned, we need supplements to make up for the lack of nutrients in our diets and also to “boost” our intake of needed materials. Protein powders do this. Let’s go into it, shall we?

Please refer back to my previous articles on amino acids and protein for further reference in-depth. As mentioned, we have 8 essential amino acids, just to review. These are critical for our upkeep, and they must be obtained from our food. A protein powder may or may not (or may partially) provide these amino acids. Of particular importance are BCAA’s (Branched-Chain Amino Acids), such as L-Isoleucine, L-Leucine, and L-Valine. These guys are very important for tissue repair.

I have found that there are many types of protein powder that are not specifically designed to replace the amino acids you need. EAS manufactures a protein powder that is nonspecific such as this: you’re getting protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. There are four that I think are really good to use: Market Pantry (Target’s generic brand) of protein/whey powder, Muscle Milk, Pure Protein (carried by Wal-Mart), and Raw Protein Green. The last one listed will be of interest to those who want raw organic vegetable proteins. It’s expensive: about $30.00 per canister.

The powder provides all of the amino acids, but it’s a little “light” in some areas. Still, Mrs. JJ likes it, and it is very good for those who don’t have a strong stomach/intestinal tract that have trouble taking in these large quantities of nutrients. The overall “best” has to go to Muscle Milk, the Pro Series 50 in chocolate (Knockout Chocolate, to be exact) flavor. Designed for pre and post workouts, you’ll get about 23 servings out of it with 25 grams (g) of protein per serving.

JJ’s Protein Power Shake:

Now for JJ’s trick for you: put in 1 cup of milk (whole, reduced, skim) for about 9 g of protein, and 2 Tbsp. peanut butter (on average, about 8 g protein). Mix these in a jar. I use a kind of skinny vertical jar that used to hold salsa. Add water to the edge of the jar-threads. Shake it up vigorously about 300 times to blend it all in. Voila! You just took that shake and went from 25 g to 42 g of protein in the blink of an eye! Yes, it matters on the overall tally. Remember: you’re not replacing meals; rather, you’re supplementing them.

JJ’s Protein Powder Reviews:

This Muscle Milk tastes good (the chocolate does), and the “additives” make it taste better. One in the morning post-workout (within 20-30 minutes), and then one in the evening before bed at a minimum.

Market Pantry (Target’s Brand) and the Pure Protein (Wal-Mart) weigh in slightly less amino acid than the Muscle Milk. Pricewise, though, you pay $18.47 for the former and $17.98 for the latter, as opposed to $30.00 for the Muscle Milk. The numbers are so close that it’s worth it to buy the other two for the price. Get the chocolate: the vanilla doesn’t taste very good, even when you “doctor” it with my additives. The protein content per serving is about the same: 25 g. They also have sodium and potassium, critical electrolytes that you need with your physical training.

You can take one of these jars to mix it up within a cooler with a cup of milk in it, and a serving of powder in a plastic/Ziploc bag. I have these small servings of peanut butter that I just squeeze in, but you can measure this out in a Ziploc bag (2 Tbsp.) and cut a hole in one corner. Then just roll the whole thing up until it’s closed and rubber-band it until you need it. This is a lot better for you than some “crapulous” snack with no nutritional value and empty calories that you can blend in with other snacks, such as raw vegetables and fruit.

Bottom line: depending on how much protein you estimate you’ll need, the powder is the way to make up the difference: quick, easy, and affordable. Just as what you put into your training time is what you take out? What you put into your body matters. The powder is the way to go, along with a good diet and exercise plan. Fight that good fight! JJ out!

Jeremiah Johnson is the Nom de plume of a retired Green Beret of the United States Army Special Forces (Airborne). Mr. Johnson was a Special Forces Medic, EMT and ACLS-certified, with comprehensive training in wilderness survival, rescue, and patient-extraction. He is a Certified Master Herbalist and a graduate of the Global College of Natural Medicine of Santa Ana, CA. A graduate of the U.S. Army’s survival course of SERE school (Survival Evasion Resistance Escape), Mr. Johnson also successfully completed the Montana Master Food Preserver Course for home-canning, smoking, and dehydrating foods.

Mr. Johnson dries and tinctures a wide variety of medicinal herbs taken by wild crafting and cultivation, in addition to preserving and canning his own food. An expert in land navigation, survival, mountaineering, and parachuting as trained by the United States Army, Mr. Johnson is an ardent advocate for preparedness, self-sufficiency, and long-term disaster sustainability for families. He and his wife survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Cross-trained as a Special Forces Engineer, he is an expert in supply, logistics, transport, and long-term storage of perishable materials, having incorporated many of these techniques plus some unique innovations in his own homestead.

Mr. Johnson brings practical, tested experience firmly rooted in formal education to his writings and to our team. He and his wife live in a cabin in the mountains of Western Montana with their three cats.